Military Hercules Helps Locate Stranded Fishermen

Two men on a fishing trip from Manitoba are lucky to be alive after getting stranded near Reynar Lake, Northwest of Kenora.

Lac Du Bonnet RCMP notified the the OPP yesterday afternoon about the 2 men.

The marine and Trails Unit along with the Northwest Region Emergency Response team and Canadian Military Joint Rescue Response team were called to help locate the men.

That included a Hercules c-130 being dispatched from 17 Wing in Winnipeg.

At 10:30 the men were able to contact the OPP with a cell phone and provide coordinates which lead to them safely being located.

Both men suffered only minor injuries.

City Council begins Budget Process

A refreshing change for Kenora City council.

None of the groups that made budget presentations was asking for a large increase in their budget in 2014.

In fact a couple of groups, including Triple Play were asking for less.

Debbie Novak is the co-ordinator of the program and says their fundraising efforts are paying off.

The Kenora Handi-Transit Service is also asking for slightly less money this year, while both the library and museum are seeking an increase in the cost of living for employees salaries.

Also, at the budget meeting the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation suggested the city invest 2 million dollars from the KMTS Trust Fund in the foundation.

Dryden Fire Hits Snag With Move to Kenora

A setback for the Dryden Fire Service.

Council has rejected a plan for now to switch dispatch service to the Kenora Ambulance and Fire Dispatch Centre.

Fire Chief Ken Kurz says he's been told to take another look at moving to the Owen Sound Police Service once the Com. Centre closes at the end of March.

Kurz says Kenora is a proven entity and is the regional supplier of fire and ambulance dispatch services.

Thunder Bay Event Centre Lands Major Partner

The city of Thunder Bay is partnering with a new consortium called Thunder Bay LIVE to help make the proposed events centre a reality.

It includes True North Sports out of Winnipeg which will see the Jets American Hockey League team move to the city.  

City Manager Tim Commisso says it now gives the project credibility

Also in the partnership are Stadium Consultants International, Gobal Spectrum and the Lakehead University Thunderwolves.

WestJet to Expand Service in the Region

WestJet Airlines is bringing a new service to the region.

The company announced  that it will start Encore routes between Toronto and Thunder Bay and between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.

WestJet didn't say when the Encore flights would begin.

Greenstone Gets Funding for Training Center

3.5 million dollars in funding is going towards building a training center in Greenstone.

The Federal and Provincial Governments ponied up the cash that will see the regional skills training center built at the Greenstone Airport in Geralton.

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says the the investment is going to mean more jobs for the region.

The Provincial and Federal Government's tossed in an equal share of over 1.7 million dollars for the project.

Drug Bust in Lac Du Bonnet

Two people from Lac du Bonnet are facing drugs and charges after RCMP executed a search warrant at a rural home.

Officers turned up cocaine, marijuana, scales, drug packaging, firearms and ammunition.

30-year old Lance Laliberte and 22-year old Ashley Payne are set to make an initial court appearance in Winnipeg today.

Palliative Tool Kit Released For Long Term Care Homes

There's a new tool kit for long term care homes who want to offer palliative care to their residents.

The kit was developed by a group of people at Lakehead University.

Dr. Mary Lou Kelley says there really wasn't anything like this in Canada before.

Kelley says thanks to their research they can tell Long Term Care homes how they can create their own palliative care programs in their facilities.

City Starts Budget Talks Today

Kenora city council will begin crunching the numbers today.

The first of several public budget meetings will be taking place starting
this morning at City Hall.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they will be asking groups that the city funds, how much money they'll need in 2014.

Council will be hearing from the Kenora Public Library, the Museum, Handi-Transit, Triple Play and the Lake of the Woods Development Commission.

Province Holds Pre-Budget Talks in NWO Today

The province's finance committee will be making it's one and only stop in northwestern Ontario today with it's pre-budget consultations.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is going to speak about what it would like to see in the upcoming budget.

Spokesperson Iain Angus says they'll be asking for changes in the heads and beds payment.

The pre-budget consultation hearing is on this morning in Thunder Bay and will see 12 organizations make presentations.